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UjjH REFLECTIONS *y nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., May 23.— While it is much too early to place any yardsticks on the two-year-olds, the Youthful and Juvenile Stakes gave plenty of evidence that the division has two promising youngsters in Primate and Jet Master. The Youthful, ful, which which has has had had many many good good win- UjjH ful, which which has has had had many many good good win- winners despite its running in the early part of the season, pointed out Primate as one who was going to scrap it out with some good ones in the Juvenile, which was run last Monday. Only three went to the post, but, as Bob Horwood wrote, it was one of the best races of the season to date. A week ago The Pimpernel created a new world record over the Belmont course of :49% for four and a half furlongs. Although he defeated Jet Jewel by two and a half lengths, this writer looks for sharp improvement in the future engagements of this son of Jet Pilot who, at 2,000, was the highest priced yearling colt at the Keeneland Sales last July. It is unfortunate that neither The Pimpernel nor Jet Jewel are eligible for the colt division of the National Stallion Stakes, which will be the feature at Belmont on June 13. No less than 266 two-year-olds were nominated for this race, which has been won by many of the best juveniles of their respective seasons. The National Stallion is now run in two sections and the fillies will have their inning on June 4. AAA These early two-year-old events .are being watched by the breeders, especially because of the young stallions who £,re sending their first crops to the races this year. Jet Pilot, winner of the 1947 Kentucky Derby, apparently Some Promising Juveniles in Belmont Racing National Stallion Stakes May Develop More Count Turf Faces Sharp Field in Withers Belmont Stakes to Clarify Sophomore Ranks has two good ones in Jet Master and Jet Jewel. Time will disclose whether the Maine Chance Farm has others who might be as good in Jets Date and Jet A Dandy. On a recent trip to Kentucky, we had an opportunity to inspect Jet Pilot and he has let down to be a handsome stallion. Leslie Combs II. is now syndicating this young horse and has more applications for membership than he knows what to do with. The Pimpernel is a chestnut colt by Pavot out of Chalara, by Challenger n., and he came out of the Ernst Farm consignment of yearlings last season. Pavot entered stud in 1948. Primate is a son of Some Chance out of Edified, by Jacopo. While he was bred by his owner, he was foaled at the Claiborne Farm at Paris, Ky„ in March 1949. The Juvenile was his sixth start and he now has a record of three victories and three seconds. AAA This writer will be in Toronto for the running of the time-honored Kings Plate on the week-end, but we are sorry to miss the running of the Withers Stakes which, at one mile, will be the feature at Belmont. Considering the muddled condition among the sophomores, the Withers shapes up as an attractive horse race. Bold, winner of the Preakness, is not eligible for the event, but is being pointed for the Belmont Stakes on June 16. There is a good chance, however, that Jack Amiels Count Turf, the neglected winner of the Kentucky Derby, will be among those who go to the post. George D. Wideners Battlefield is another who is expected to start. Only those two would make it one of the most interesting three-year-old events at this point in the season when it is any mans guess who will finally emerge as the champion. Uncle Miltie-is a doubtful starter at this writing, but his presence would add greatly to this Withers which, since 1874, has played such an important part in three-year-old racing. Jumbo, vwho defeated Battlefield in the Swift Stakes, is regarded as another starter. While there will, be others, the quartet mentioned should help to clarify the picture, which certainly needs clarification. AAA The Peter Pan Handicap, at a mile and a furlong, will be run June 9, a week before the Belmont. The Withers drew 59 nominations and the Peter Pan 63. In the latter event are Count Turf, Uncle Miltie, Battlefield, along with Big Stretch, Timely Reward, Counterpoint, To Market, Repetoire, Nullify, Alerted, and others who could still play a very definite part in the three-year-old racing before the running of the Lawrence Realization. There are many horses, of course, who, despite the Withers running on the week-end, will still need a final tune-up for the Belmont Stakes, and the Peter Pan, with 0,000 added, is certain to draw its share of these sophomore aspirants. The Belmont Stakes, unlike the Derby, has rarely drawn large fields, but this appears to be a year when the 00,000 fixture, which is called the "Test of the Champion," should attract those who raced in the Derby and Preakness. Barring accidents, both Count Turf and Bold will start, and we look for a Continued on Page Thirty REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty good field to oppose them in the race which is the third and last leg of the "Triple Crown." AAA We no longer hear the statement that the three-year-olds of this year are a "common lot," and we attribute it mostly to the showings of Count Turf in the Derby and Bold in the Preakness. They made good showings and it is our belief they are going to prove better than average when the showdown comes between now and next fall. Bold had fine action in the Preakness, and many veterans agree that he will hold his own at the one and one-half miles of the Belmont. This writer has always contended that the three-year-olds as a group cannot be judged until the fall of the year and we are very much of that opinion this season when they have been beating one another consistently. There is no standout, and the division is late in shaping itself, but that in itself is not sufficient to condemn the group as being below those of former years. They do add zest to a racing program, and that counts as much with us as when two, such as Hill Prince and Middleground stand out above all others. Seldom does a horse win the Derby as easily as Count Fleet did, and the same can be said of Bold in the Preakness. Not in years has a Belmont Stakes renewal been so "open" as the one coming up on June 16. That makes horse racing.
